Chapter 514 - 248: Encountering a Mutated Blood Scythe Demon Mantis, Gaining a Powerful Talent, and Stumbling Upon a Giant Spirit Martial Artist

’Ignores 30% defense... Bleeding and Tearing...’

Jiang Che’s eyes lit up.

’Nice!’

’It’s not as insane as my Core Talents, but for this level, an Armor-Piercing attribute is definitely top-tier!’

’If I combine this with my Twenty-Eighthfold Strike, I could probably punch through even the thickest-skinned opponent!’

’This is the one!’

Jiang Che put away the Jade Talisman, completely satisfied.

Just as he turned to leave,

BZZZT—

[True: All-Seeing Eye] suddenly sent out another warning!

And this time, the sense of crisis was far more intense than before!

’There’s more?!’

Jiang Che’s heart skipped a beat as he abruptly looked up.

He saw the black mist ahead churning violently, as if some behemoth were cleaving through it like a ship breaking waves.

In the next instant, a terrifying figure tore through the mist and appeared in Jiang Che’s field of vision!

It was another Blood Scythe Demon Mantis!

But this one was well over two meters tall, a full head taller than Jiang Che!

Its pair of signature Blood Scythe forelimbs were even thicker, like two of the Grim Reaper’s massive scythes, radiating a heart-stopping, cold glint!

Even more bizarrely, its originally crimson carapace was covered in strange purple markings that flickered with its breathing, giving off an unnervingly sinister beauty.

But what was most alarming was the aura it emanated.

The oppressive presence it exuded was more than a mere notch above the previous one at the Peak of the Sixth Realm!

’Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm!’

A chill ran through Jiang Che’s heart.

The Seventh Layer is a watershed in the True Master Realm, marking the entry into the ranks of High-tier True Masters.

Both the quality of one’s True Qi and the fortitude of one’s physical body undergo a qualitative leap!

’Now I’m in trouble...’

Jiang Che was confident, but not arrogant.

He wouldn’t be afraid of an Exotic Beast of this level if he went all out and used all his trump cards.

But the risk was far too great just to test his regular combat strength.

’Retreat!’

Discretion is the better part of valor. Jiang Che made an instant decision, wind gathering at his feet as he turned to execute a Body Technique and flee.

However, the moment he turned, a vicious gust of wind scraped past his scalp!

’So fast!’

Jiang Che was shocked.

This Purple Spot Blood Scythe Demon Mantis was a full two times faster than the last one!

There was no time to dodge!

Jiang Che could only manage to raise his arms to protect his vital points.

BANG!!!

With a dull thud, Jiang Che was sent flying as if hit head-on by a battering ram. He smashed through three massive black ironwood trees before his body finally ground to a halt.

"Cough..."

Jiang Che, half-kneeling on the ground, glanced down at his arms.

The sleeves on his arms were shredded to pieces. Two horrific, bone-deep gashes had been carved into his forearms. Blood gushed from the wounds, flesh peeled back, and he could even glimpse the stark white of bone within!

’Damn...’

Jiang Che sucked in a sharp breath.

’So this is the destructive power of the Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm? Terrifying, indeed!’

If it weren’t for the buffs from his many Passive abilities making him so durable, that last strike would have likely crippled both of his arms!

Still, an injury like this was far from fatal for him.

[Rejuvenation], [Healing]...

Countless regenerative Passives activated at once. Flesh granulated and writhed within the horrific wounds. In just a few seconds, the bleeding stopped, and the gashes began to rapidly seal shut.

Jiang Che slowly rose to his feet, flexing his slightly numb arms.

He lifted his head and stared at the Purple Spot Blood Scythe Demon Mantis, which was licking the blood from its scythes.

The creature didn’t seem at all concerned that Jiang Che might escape. Its eyes held an almost human-like expression of cruel amusement.

It wanted to toy with him.

The intent to retreat in Jiang Che’s eyes had now been utterly replaced by a savage will to fight.

"You... hurt me."

Jiang Che rolled his neck, producing a series of sharp CRACKS.

"I was going to let you go."

"Now... I’ve changed my mind."

"I’m going to... kill you!"

BOOM!

The instant the words left his mouth, the Qi Blood in Jiang Che’s body erupted like a volcano once more!

Blood Burning Secret Technique, activated a second time!

And this time, he wasn’t holding anything back!

Jiang Che stomped a foot, cracking the ground beneath him, and shot forward like a blur, taking the initiative to charge the Purple Spot Blood Scythe Demon Mantis!

"ROAR!"

The Demon Mantis hadn’t expected its prey to dare fight back. It immediately brandished its two giant scythes and chopped down at him!

Facing the giant scythes, which looked powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rock, Jiang Che’s eyes were ice-cold. He clenched his right fist, the Strength in his entire body condensing in a frenzy!

"Twenty-Eighthfold Strike!"

Jiang Che roared.

It was enhanced by the 1.3x boost to All Attributes from the Blood Burning Secret Technique.

This amplified strike was equivalent to thirty-six point four times his normal strength!

This one punch concentrated the absolute pinnacle of power Jiang Che could unleash in his current state!

"DIE!!!"

KRA-BOOM!!!

Fist met Blood Scythe, colliding violently in mid-air!

For a moment, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck and detonated in the forest!

A terrifying shockwave swept outwards, blasting away all the surrounding mist!

"SCREEE!!!"

The Purple Spot Blood Scythe Demon Mantis let out a pained shriek. Its massive body was blasted off the ground by the force of the punch, sent flying back over a hundred feet!

A clearly visible crack had appeared on its Blood Scythe—a weapon so tough it could slice through Treasure Artifacts!

"Hm?"

Looking at the crack, Jiang Che clicked his tongue in amazement.

’A Seventh Layer True Master Realm beast, sure enough, is tough!’

’A strike equivalent to thirty-six times my normal power only managed to crack its carapace?’

If this had been the previous Demon Mantis, one punch would have been enough to make it explode!

’If one punch isn’t enough...’

A ferocious light flared in Jiang Che’s eyes.

’Then I’ll use ten! A hundred!’

Giving the Demon Mantis no time to recover, Jiang Che charged forward again!